Why Japan is worried about the decline in US ties with India

The US’ waning interest in regional relations and its weakening ties with India are eroding American-led alliances in Asia, creating openings for China, a prominent Japanese defence researcher has warned.

Masayuki Masuda, head of the China division at Japan’s National Institute for Defence Studies, a research body under the Ministry of Defence, said the shift was already affecting key groupings such as the Quad and raising alarm in Tokyo.

“[Regional alliances] are one of the biggest sources of impact – Quad and Aukus, especially Quad,” Masuda said on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum on Wednesday.

“From a Japanese perspective, the Quad is one of the major diplomatic tools to maintain a balance against China, with Australia, India, Japan and the United States.

“But because of [US President Donald] Trump losing interest in that framework, and the US-India deteriorating partnership, Trump decided not to attend the Quad summit, which was to be held in New Delhi. That would be a concern that might be potentially dangerous from the Japanese perspective.”

The Quad – short for Quadrilateral Security Dialogue – brings together Australia, India, Japan and the US.

South China Morning Post